TOKYO -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The U.S. military held a `` Day of Reflection '' on Friday for troops in Japan after allegations that two U.S. service members committed sexual assaults on the southern island of Okinawa .

Protestors in Okinawa express anger at claims two U.S. service members committed sexual assaults

The goal is to emphasize professionalism and core military values , the U.S. military said . Service members will meet in small groups to discuss topics such as personal values , responsible alcohol consumption , and understanding ethnic differences between the United States and Japan , the military said .

The `` Day of Reflection '' follows the arrest last week of a U.S. Marine for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old Japanese girl and allegations Thursday that an employee of the U.S. Army raped a Filipino woman . Both incidents allegedly happened on Okinawa , where people have long resented the presence of the U.S. military .

`` As responsible members of the Japanese community , and consistent with the values of our military , we will continue to do everything possible to prevent incidents , '' said Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Wright , commander of the U.S. forces in Japan .

`` Every service member is expected to take personal responsibility for his or her off-duty conduct and we will continue to be unwavering in our commitment to maintain exemplary , high standards of professionalism , '' he said .

The Okinawa prosecutor extended custody Friday for Tyrone Hadnott , the 38-year-old Marine accused in the rape of the teenager . That gives Japanese authorities until March 3 to file charges against him .

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has condemned the incident as `` unforgivable , '' and the allegation prompted the U.S. military in Japan to form a sexual assault prevention task force .

The episode echoes an incident more than a decade ago that strained relations between the United States and Japan , and similar cases have further fueled resentment of the U.S. military presence .

Police in Okinawa said Thursday they were investigating a second reported sexual assault involving an employee of the U.S. Army . It was not clear whether the suspect in the case is a soldier or a civilian employee at the military 's base in Japan .

The U.S. Army in Japan said it was aware of the incident but did not give further details .

`` We are in full cooperation with host nation authorities , '' the Army said in a statement . `` We take this allegation very seriously and the Army does not tolerate sexual assault . ''

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill met Thursday with Japan 's foreign minister and expressed regret over the recent incidents .

`` I just want to make very clear the great regret that we feel about this , the concern that we feel for the Okinawa people , '' Hill said .

The U.S. military announced Wednesday that it was restricting the movements of all American troops and their families in Okinawa because of the allegation involving the Japanese girl .

The restrictions are in place `` indefinitely '' to allow troops and their families to reflect on discipline and conduct , the military said . It means troops and their families can not leave their bases or off-base residences except for work , worship , school or medical needs .

Friday 's day of reflection was a more focused part of those restrictions . It was taking part in more than 23 locations on Okinawa and mainland Japan , the military said .

`` As a practical matter , we need to reel it in here and make sure we are on our best , best behavior , '' said Col. Jeff Newell , commander of the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base .

Newell spoke to his airmen at the base as part of the day of reflection , speaking about topics like responsible drinking and sexual assault prevention .

`` The point we want to make here is the strategic impact of any American serviceman 's behavior when they 're off-base , '' Newell said .

More than 40,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Japan , most of them on Okinawa . They were placed there under a security alliance after Japan was defeated in World War II .

Locals have long complained about crime , noise , and accidents by the U.S. military , but resentment boiled over in 1995 after a 12-year-old Okinawan schoolgirl was gang-raped by three American servicemen .

The military observed a similar `` Day of Reflection '' after that incident .

Women 's rights activist Mina Watanabe said Friday 's day of reflection is just lip service . She said reported sexual assaults committed by U.S. servicemen on Okinawa have continued despite years of promises to prevent them .

`` The U.S. military bases in Okinawa and Japan are not welcome , '' Watanabe said . `` They do n't protect the safety of the local community . It 's more danger for the community . '' E-mail to a friend

CNN 's Kyung Lah contributed to this report .

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U.S. military observes `` Day of Reflection '' amid sexual assault allegations

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Marine arrested for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old Japanese girl

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Japanese PM Yasuo Fukuda condemns the incident as `` unforgivable ''

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Separate claim that an employee of the U.S. Army raped a Filipino woman